Tiny spots on negs

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Mark Liddell - 15 Nov 2004 21:50 GMT

There are tiny back spots all over my negs (white in the print) but
really tiny, only obvious at almost 6 to 8x enlargment.

Here is a section from a 400dpi scan of 35mm neg:

http://www.sukitesurfing.co.uk/spotting.jpg

I'm using distilled water for all solutions and final rise. Problem
was much less when I switched to perceptol (1:3) from ilfosol (1:19)
but all the rolls done it perceptol have been done at home rather than
my uni darkroom. Have tried with an without photoflo too.

I live in a very hard water area so could it be that? Despite
distilled water for all solutions and final rise?

Agitation as as per ilford and I tap the tank on the counter a few
times each minute.

Any help would be massivly appreciated, I hate spending ages in
photoshop editing them all out when I could print with an enlarger.

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jjs - 15 Nov 2004 22:17 GMT

> There are tiny back spots all over my negs (white in the print) but
> really tiny, only obvious at almost 6 to 8x enlargment.
>
> Here is a section from a 400dpi scan of 35mm neg:
>
> http://www.sukitesurfing.co.uk/spotting.jpg

Why can't it be simple dust? I'd be darned happy if my dust situation were
that minor.

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Dan Quinn - 17 Nov 2004 00:38 GMT

> There are tiny back spots all over my negs
>
> I'm using distilled water for all solutions and final rise.

Very hard water you say. I also. I use distilled through out
the entire processing of film and paper.
You did'nt mention fixer. It is not so well knowen that
there are insoluble compounds of the siver thiosulfate complex.
I believe that to be the case. Bill Troop of 'The Darkroom
Cookbook' fame, hinted at it when he pointed out that
potassium should not be an element in processing
although he over stated it's harmfull effect.
Likely hypo meeting up with your hard, element containg
rinse and wash waters is not the cause of spots though it may
be. Apart from that, be sure the first rinse after fix is
distilled water. Spots or no spots, it is likely you are
leaving in emulsions small amounts of the insoluble
forms of the silver thiosulfate complex. Dan

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Mark Liddell - 17 Nov 2004 18:00 GMT

I'm using agfa agefix (non-hardening ammonium based). I'll try using
distilled water in the first rinse after the fix, and then distilled
throughout. Distilled water is a pain to get hold of and expensive in
these quantities.

Thanks for the help,
--
Mark

> > There are tiny back spots all over my negs
> >
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> leaving in emulsions small amounts of the insoluble
> forms of the silver thiosulfate complex. Dan

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Dan Quinn - 18 Nov 2004 03:50 GMT

> Distilled water is a pain to get hold of and expensive in
> these quantities.

My 120 reel and tank require 375ml of solution. I use the
Ilford three rinses method. Those three plus a one-shot Photo
Flo makes 1.5 liters; home town Oregon USA, 32 cents. Dan

> > > There are tiny back spots all over my negs
> > >
> > > I'm using distilled water for all solutions and final rise.
> >
> > Very hard water you say. I also. I use distilled through
> > out the entire processing of film and paper.

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